Perkins IV - General

Purpose: The purpose of
this Act is to develop more fully the academic and career and technical skills of secondary and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in career and technical programs by:

Developing challenging academic and technical standards and assisting students in meeting such standards, including preparation for high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations in current or emerging professions;

Promoting the development of services and activities that integrate rigorous and challenging academic and career and technical instruction, and that link secondary education and postsecondary education for participating career and technical education students;

Increasing flexibility in providing services and activities designed to develop, implement, and improve career and technical education, including tech prep education;

Conducting and disseminating national research and disseminating information on best practices that improve career and technical education programs, services, and activities;

Providing technical assistance that:

promotes leadership, initial preparation, and professional development; and

improves the quality of career and technical education teachers, faculty, administrators, and counselors;

supporting partnerships among secondary schools, postsecondary institutions, baccalaureate degree granting institutions, area career and technical education schools, local workforce investment boards, business and industry and intermediaries; and

providing individuals with opportunities throughout their lifetimes to develop, in conjunction with other education and training programs, the knowledge and skills needed to keep the United States competitive.